1. How does distance leadership and communication affect one another, based on a leadership perspective in the staffing industry?

2. What influence does distance leadership and communication have on the work relationship between managers and employees in the staffing industry?

Purpose: This study aims to investigate, and thereby contribute with knowledge of, the importance of communication for the work relationship between managers leading at a distance and their employees.

Method: A qualitative method has been used for the gathering of empirical data. Five semi-structured interviews have been conducted with respondents from different agency companies. Interviews were designed based on the theoretical frame of reference consisting of scientific articles and books in the field of research. The results were then analysed based on distance leadership, communication and work relationship.

Conclusion: Close supervising distance leadership communicates consciously more frequently and structured, through both one-way and two-way communication. Trustful distance leadership does not communicate as structured and mainly uses one-way communication. Two-way communication leads to physical proximity while one-way communication leads to physical distance. Furthermore, has the study showed that physical distance between managers and employees does not significantly affect the work relationship, as distance leadership nowadays is a relatively normal phenomenon and is helped by modern technology and alternative communication channels. The social distance on the other hand, has a greater influence on work relationship as social distance affects the degree of belonging and fellowship. Communication has an influence by the frequency of interaction and exchange of information which affects the quality of work relationships.